Larry Craig



Larry Edwin Craig was the senior United States Senator from Idaho (map). He is a member of the Republican Party and was first elected to the Senate in 1990 and retired in 2008.

Iraq War
Craig voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq in Oct. 2002.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Bio
Craig was born July 20, 1945 in Idaho, where he was raised and educated, earning a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Idaho in 1969. He was elected to the Idaho State Senate in 1974. By this time he was also a farmer and rancher.

He was a member of the Idaho State Senate until 1980, when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, of which he was a member from 1981 until 1991. During his tenure as a member of the House of Representatives, he strongly supported the Balanced Budget Amendment and President Reagan's push to expand vocational education.

Craig's Senate biography states, "A forceful advocate for common sense, conservative solutions to our nation's problems, Senator Craig has emerged as a leader in the battle for the Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution, limited taxation, private property rights, and greater accountability in government. He has been recognized by national groups including Citizens for a Sound Economy, Citizens Against Government Waste, Watchdogs of the Treasury, and the National Taxpayers Union Foundation for his votes to cut spending and protect the taxpayer."

"As a Westerner and a former rancher, Senator Craig plays a leading role in the formation of natural resource and energy policies, and he has gained a national reputation as a stalwart against environmental extremism. He is also one of America's foremost defenders of the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms."

Arrest for lewd behavior
On August 27, 2007, a report by Roll Call revealed that Senator Craig had been arrested in June of that year for lewd behavior in an airport bathroom. On August 8, Craig pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct. He paid over $500 in fines and was given one year of probation beginning August 8.

A spokesman for Craig commented that the incident was a simple “he said/he said misunderstanding.”

In June, according to a plainclothes police officer, Craig sought to engage in lewd conduct with him in a men's public restroom. In his report, the officer wrote, "At 1216 hours, Craig tapped his right foot. I recognized this as a signal used by persons wishing to engage in lewd conduct. Craig tapped his toes several times and moves his foot closer to my foot. I moved my foot up and down slowly. While this was occurring, the male in the stall to my right was still present. I could hear several unknown persons in the restroom that appeared to use the restroom for its intended use. The presence of others did not seem to deter Craig as he moved his right foot so that it touched the side of my left foot which was within my stall area."

Craig attributed the incident to a misunderstanding stating in the report that he had "a wide stance when going to the bathroom."

Repercussions of the arrest
After news of his June arrest became public on August 27, Craig issued a statement saying that he regretted the guilty plea: "At the time of this incident, I complained to the police that they were misconstruing my actions. I was not involved in any inappropriate conduct. I should have had the advice of counsel in resolving this matter. In hindsight, I should not have pleaded guilty. I was trying to handle this matter myself quickly and expeditiously." In a press conference on August 28, Craig stated that he only pleaded guilty because he wanted to keep the story quiet so as to avoid adding to what he called the Idaho Statesman's "witch hunt." He also stated, "Let me be clear: I am not gay. I never have been gay."

The Idaho Statesman had been researching allegations of Craig's behavior for months but did not publish until the Roll Call article appeared. Craig referred to "vicious attacks" by the Statesman, during his press conference on August 28th.

Craig also resigned his post as a Senate liaison (an organizing and fundraising position) for Mitt Romney's presidential campaign the day the story broke. Romney communications director Matt Rhoades stated, "Senator Craig has stepped down from his role with the campaign. He did not want to be a distraction and we accept his decision."

On August 28, Senate Republican leaders issued a joint statement, saying none of them had been aware of Craig's legal trouble until August 27, the day the story hit the newspapers. They also called for the ethics committee to investigate the incident. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Minority Whip Trent Lott (R-Miss.) and three other GOP leaders wrote,

"'This is a serious matter. Due to the reported and disputed circumstances, and the legal resolution of this serious case, we will recommend that Senator Craig's incident be reported to the Senate Ethics Committee for its review. In the meantime, leadership is examining other aspects of the case to determine if additional action is required.'"

On August 29, Craig agreed to step down from his committee positions during the investigation of his June arrest, including his position as the top Republican on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee.

A statement from the GOP leadership read, “Senator Larry Craig has agreed to comply with Leadership’s request that he temporarily step down as the top Republican on the Veteran Affairs Committee, [Senate] Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, and [Senate] Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests. This is not a decision we take lightly but we believe this is in the best interest of the Senate until this situation is resolved by the Ethics Committee.”

Resignation
On September 1, 2007, Sen. Larry Craig announced that he would resign effective September 30. Craig stated "I am proud of my record and accomplishments," though continued that he could not continue serving without being a "distraction." Republican Governor Butch Otter had the power to appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of Craig's term. Former Governor Jim Risch (R) and Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) were both considered possible replacements.

Possible reconsideration of resignation
On September 4, 2007, Sen. Larry Craig reconsidered his decision to resign. "The senator is examining a challenge to his guilty plea in Minnesota court that could alter his plans to step down," Craig spokesman Sidney Smith told the Associated Press. Although the decision was still up in the air, the intense coverage that Craig's arrest received led many to believe that his continued presence would be a distraction for Republican leaders.

Surprise return to the hill
Sen. Larry Craig made an unexpected return to the Capitol 12 days before his likely resignation. He has vowed to reverse an Aug. 8 guilty plea after the gay sex sting arrest.Craig also dismissed assumptions that his return meant that he would not stick with his planned resignation date. “He is here representing Idaho, working on transition, and meeting with his legal team,” Craig spokesman Dan Whiting said.

Will stay until court ruling
On September 26, 2007 Senator Larry Craig began his attempt to withdraw his guilty plea for disorderly conduct in a Minneapolis airport restroom. Hennepin County District Judge Charles A. Porter reacted skeptically to the bid and said that he would not rule on Craig’s request until the next week. Craig also softened his pledge to resign by the end of September if the case was not resolved, announcing that he would remain in office “for now.” Porter noted that Craig admitted in the August guilty plea that his behavior constituted a crime. Craig’s attorney, Billy Martin, argued that Craig did not consult a lawyer before making the plea. Martin argued that Craig’s actions were only “innocuous’ and that no contact rose to the level of disorderly contact. If Porter accepted the plea withdrawal and scheduled a trial on the original charges, Craig would fight the criminal charges and a Senate ethics investigation. Craig said that he would not seek reelection in 2008 regardless of the outcome of the criminal case.

Will finish out term
Hours after a Minnesota judge denied Craig’s bid to withdraw a guilty plea in the bathroom sex sting scandal he said on October 4, 2007 that he would finish his full term before retiring. “As I continued to work for Idaho over the past three weeks here in the Senate, I have seen that it is possible for me to work here effectively,” said Craig in a statement, and he would try to “clear my name in the Senate Ethics Committee — something that is not possible if I am not serving in the Senate.”

Judge Charles Porter of Minnesota’s Hennepin County court rejected Craig’s argument to withdraw the guilty plea in a 27-page order. Porter wrote that Craig’s admission of disorderly conduct in a Minneapolis airport bathroom “accurate, voluntary and intelligent, the conviction is supported by the evidence.”

Craig said he is examining his options and fellow Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo (R) said he believed Craig planned to appeal the case.

Republican leadership backed off earmark threats
Senate Republicans backed off from pressuring Craig to resign his seat, potentially allowing him to last long enough in Congress to save his career. Republican leaders chose not to threaten Craig by stripping over 20 spending projects he sponsored. Craig had argued that the projects showed his presence in the senate was valuable to his constituents. “Right now we are very much working to keep everything in place, and I’m pleased about the progress” Craig said about the millions of dollars in earmarks.

Although pressured to resign earlier in the scandal, ranking Appropriations Committee member Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) said, of Craig, "He’ll be treated like all senators." Sen. Bob Bennett (R-Utah) said "The leadership is going to leave it up to the Ethics Committee."

Craig’s name was attached to 84 earmarks in different annual spending bills and was the only sponsor of 22 projects. Seven of the projects, worth over $7 million, were in legislation crafted by the Appropriations Interior Subcommittee as Craig was the ranking Republican member. Bennet, a fellow subcommittee member, said "Why punish the state of Idaho if they have a perfectly legitimate project which their Senator has called to our attention?"

Other than threatening Craig’s earmarks, little else could be done by Republican leaders to force his early retirement. A Republican aide said a lawmaker must resign a committee leadership position only if they are indicted for a felony, although Craig’s crime did not rise to that level. Leaders could call for the Senate to vote on Craig’s expulsion, but that would require 67 senators voting in favor. The aide said Craig’s misdemeanor crime did not rise to a grave enough level to reach such a high threshold.

Admonished by Ethics Committee Colleagues for Conduct
The Senate Ethics Committee has publically admonished Craig as a result of his arrest and guilty plea last summer to inappropriate conduct in a men's bathroom in the Minneapolis airport. Colleagues expressed their disdain for the Senator's actions after the arrest and the impropriety of attempting to evade the legal consequences of his actions by withdrawing his guilty plea. Committee members also questioned the obscure transfer of $200,000 worth of funds from Craig's campaign money to help pay legal fees and denouncing it as unethical.

The Committee administered its admonition to reflect the poor image that the Senate has suffered as a result of the scandal, and accused Craig of attemping to use his Senatorial status to receive special or favorable treatment, but did not take any further action beyond a public rebuke. Since the scandal, and numerous calls for Craig's resignation, the Senator has tried to return to serving in some semblance of normalcy with little avail.

Court Ruling
A three judge panel in Minnesota Court of Appeals rejected Craig's attempt to withdraw his guilty plea in the disorderly conduct conduct case against him on Dec. 9, 2008.

Retirement
Craig did not file for reelection by Idaho's March 22, 2008 deadline. As a result, Craig's three-term career in the U.S. Senate will apparently come to a halt at the end of the 110th Congress. Seven Republicans and one Democrat are seeking the seat in November.

Money in politics
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Committee assignments in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs - Ranking Member
 * Senate Special Committee on Aging
 * Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
 * Subcommittee on Public Sector Solutions to Global Warming, Oversight and Children's Health Protection
 * Subcommittee on Superfund and Environmental Health
 * Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
 * Subcommittee on Water and Power
 * Subcommittee on Energy
 * Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests
 * Senate Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies
 * Subcommittee on Energy and Water
 * Subcommittee on Homeland Security
 * Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies
 * Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education
 * Subcommittee on Military Contruction and Veterans Affairs

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * Senate Special Committee on Aging
 * Senate Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Agriculture Rural Development and Related Agencies
 * Subcommittee on Energy and Water
 * Subcommittee on Homeland Security
 * Subcommittee on Interior
 * Subcommittee on Labor Health and Human Services Education and Related Agencies
 * Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs
 * Subcommittee on Energy
 * Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests - Chair
 * Subcommittee on Water and Power
 * Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs - Chair

Coalitions and Caucuses

 * Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee from 1997 until 2003.
 * Western States Senate Coalition
 * Co-Chairman of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption
 * Co-founder and co-chair, Congressional Property Rights Coalition

Boards and Other Affiliatons

 * Advisory board of National Wilderness Institute, an organization that claims to be the "voice of reason on the environment." NWI is dedicated to weakening the Endangered Species Act and other environmental protections.
 * Board of Directors of the National Rifle Association.
 * National Advisory Board member of Defenders of Property Rights]

Contact
DC Office: 520 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510-1205 Phone:202-224-2752 Fax:202-228-1067 Web Email Website District Office- Boise: 225 North Ninth Street, Suite 530 Boise, ID 83702 Phone: 208-342-7985 Fax: 208-343-2458

District Office- Coeur d'Alene: Harbor Plaza 610 Hubbard, Suite 121 Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814 Phone: 208-667-6130 Fax: 208-765-1743

District Office- Idaho Falls: 490 Memorial Drive, Suite 101 Idaho Falls, ID 83402 Phone: 208-523-5541 Fax: 208-522-0135

District Office- Lewiston: 313 D Street, Suite 106 Lewiston, ID 83501 Phone: 208-743-0792 Fax: 208-746-7275

District Office- Pocatello: 801 East Sherman Street, Room 193 Pocatello, ID 83201 Phone: 208-236-6817 Fax: 208-236-6820

District Office- Twin Falls: 560 Filer Avenue, Suite A Twin Falls, ID 83301 Phone: 208-734-6780 Fax: 208-734-3905

Resources

 * Official website
 * Congressional Biography
 * Technorati Search: Larry Craig
 * Google News Search: Larry Craig
 * Yahoo! News Search: Larry Craig
 * Power Trips: How much did Larry Craig travel?
 * GovTrack Statistics: Larry Craig

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * f-words
 * Red State Rebels
 * NewWest.net -- A Refreshing, new kind of journalism.
 * Ridenbaugh Press

Articles

 * Kate Snow, Steve Turnham, and Trish Turner, "Idaho senator holds up Air Force promotions," CNN, June 10, 2003.
 * "Senator: LA is as corrupt as Iraq," WAFB9.com, October 18, 2005.
 * Blaine Harden, "Zeroing Out the Messenger," Washington Post, November 11, 2005.
 * Sarah Dallof, "Senator Defends Contributions from Lobbyist, Defense Contractor," KBCITV.com, January 5, 2006.
 * Dan Popkey, "Craig Donates Money Linked to Scandal," Idaho Statesman, March 10, 2006.
 * Pam Spaulding, "Breaking: U.S. Senator Larry Craig busted for lewd conduct in airport men's room," AMERICAblog, August 27, 2007. (From Roll Call.)
 * "Sen. Larry Craig arrested, pleads guilty," Think Progress, August 27, 2007.
 * "Idaho senator pleads guilty after restroom incident," Washington Blade, August 27, 2007.
 * Richard Kim, "The GOP's Bathroom Problem," The Notion Blog/The Nation, August 27, 2007.
 * Susan Crabtree, "Craig regrets guilty plea involving bathroom incident," The Hill, August 27, 2007.
 * Pam Spaulding, "What will Mitt say about Larry Craig?" AMERICAblog, August 27, 2007. Craig was co-senate liaison for the Mitt Romney campaign.
 * Foon Rhee, "Senator Craig withdraws from Romney campaign role," Boston Globe, August 27, 2007.
 * "Craig resigns from position on Romney campaign," Think Progress, August 27, 2007.
 * Todd Beeton, "Romney Thinks Twice About Larry Craig's Endorsement," MyDD, August 27, 2007. Includes redacted Craig/Romney video clip.
 * Matthew Daly, "Arrest Clouds Idaho Senator's Future," Associated Press (Washington Post), August 28, 2008.
 * Emil Steiner, "Sen. Larry Craig Got 'Disorderly' in an Airport Bathroom. Idaho Republican Pleads Guilty," OFF/beat Blog/Washington Post, August 28, 2007.
 * Carl Hulse, "Senator Pleads Guilty After Arrest at Airport," New York Times, August 28, 2007.
 * "Craig's arrest is no surprise," HoustonVoice Blog, August 28, 2007.
 * Dan Popkey, "Men's room arrest reopens questions about Sen. Larry Craig," Idaho Statesman, August 28, 2007. The Statesman was researching Craig's alleged behavior, but no stories were published until the Roll Call article broke the previous day.  A big article written over months.
 * "Senate GOP leaders call for ethics review of Craig," Associated Press (Think Progress), August 28, 2007.
 * Pam Spaulding, AMERICAblog, August 28, 2007:
 * "Larry Craig defended DADT in letter to constituent after sex sting guilty plea"
 * "Open thread: Craig news conference coming up at 4:30 PM ET"
 * "The pathology of the closet"


 * BC, "Better to Be Thought a Fool," AMERICAblog, August 28, 2007.
 * Joe Sudbay, AMERICAblog, August 28, 2007:
 * "Idaho Statesman to Senator Craig: Come clean"
 * "Larry Craig speaks: 'Let me be clear: I am not gay and never have been'"
 * "Craig: It's the Idaho Statesman's fault -- and remember I'm not gay, never have been gay"


 * Joe Sudbay, AMERICAblog, August 29, 2007:
 * "GOP Operative: 'The real question for Republicans in Washington is how low can you go'"
 * "New poll shows most Idahoans want Craig to resign"


 * Pam Spaulding, "Man recounts Union Station sexual encounter with Craig," AMERICAblog, August 29, 2007.
 * Matt Corley, "Russert: Conservatives ‘Just Want Senator Craig To Exit, To Leave’," Think Progress, August 29, 2007.
 * "GOP lawmaker calls for Craig’s resignation," Think Progress, August 29, 2007. re Pete Hoekstra
 * Matt Corley, "BREAKING: Sens. Coleman And McCain Call For Craig To Resign," Think Progress, August 29, 2007. re Norm Coleman and John McCain
 * "CREW releases 'Beyond DeLay: The 22 Most Corrupt Members of Congress (and two to watch)'," Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, September 18, 2007.
 * Satyam Khanna, "Novak: Senate Conservatives Knew About Craig’s ‘Weird Conduct,’ ‘Didn’t Do Anything About It’," Think Progress, October 6, 2007.